Pre-match: U.S. vs. Rep. of Ireland - 11/18/14 in Dublin

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014.

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  1. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    #1 ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014
  2. mckersive

    mckersive Member+

    Mar 26, 2013
    New York City
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #2 mckersive, Jul 11, 2014
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  3. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    #3 ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014
    No idea what you're talking about. :D

    Thanks for the heads up :thumbsup:
     
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  4. Skippysasquirrel

    Skippysasquirrel Member+

    May 11, 2012
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #4 Skippysasquirrel, Jul 11, 2014
    How'd we choose Ireland? Is it just a fun game?

    I ask because I just noticed they're below Armenia, Wales, and, well, 69 other teams in the FIFA rankings lol.
     
  5. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    #5 ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2014
    They tied Italy and CRC before the WC so this should be a reasonable test for some of our new guys. They have a pretty decent squad, they just need to find a replacement for Keane's goalscoring production, and to a lesser extent Walters (those two combined for 9 of Ireland's 16 goals in qualifying and are both 30+). In fact, only 3 of their 16 goals in qualifying came from players under the age of 30, and none of them came from players who are under the age of 26.

    They're right around Austria's level, who if you remember, we struggled to create chances against recently.

    Oh and they only lost 6-1 to Germany at home in qualifying so they're better than Brazil.*

    * Had to throw that in there.
     
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  6. Skippysasquirrel

    Skippysasquirrel Member+

    May 11, 2012
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #6 Skippysasquirrel, Jul 11, 2014
    lol thanks for the analysis. i admit i didn't look at their recent results before posting (but this is BS, so it's not like i'm expected to).

    they'll also have four euro16 qualifiers between the WC and this match (against Georgia, Gibraltar, Germany, and Scotland), and they might put up a pretty good showing.
     
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  7. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    #7 ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014
    They'll certainly be battling for second there with Scotland, though Georgia could play spoiler.

    The real interest story in that group is Gibraltar, who are not only participating in their first FIFA tournament, but have also gotten some interesting results lately, including draws vs. Slovakia and Estonia and a win over Malta. They won't do much in this group but they could grab a point or two somewhere along the line.

    They're also a favorite of @Friedel'sAccent
     
  8. Skippysasquirrel

    Skippysasquirrel Member+

    May 11, 2012
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #8 Skippysasquirrel, Jul 11, 2014
    poland could as well with their recent tie against germany, and gibraltar... how can you not cheer for an underdog like that?

    but looking at that group, maybe this is more ireland came after the US more than us choosing them.
     
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  9. ImaPuppy

    ImaPuppy Member+

    Aug 10, 2009
    Using too many parentheses
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    American Samoa
    #9 ImaPuppy, Jul 11, 2014
    Ah, I forgot about Poland, derp. They'll certainly be in the mix with Scotland and Ireland.

    I think these days pretty much any team in the top 75 is a test unless you're Germany/Argentina/etc. It's hard to take anyone lightly with the globalization of the game and the amount of parity we've seen in the last few years. Everyone is pretty good, even the teams ranked 50 spots below us.
     
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  10. USOutlaw16

    USOutlaw16 Member+

    Green Bay Voyageurs
    United States
    Jan 22, 2011
    On the Gringo Wall of Shame
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #10 USOutlaw16, Jul 11, 2014
    Our first visit to the Palindrome. Should be a great one!
     
  11. TimB4Last

    TimB4Last Member+

    May 5, 2006
    Dystopia
    #11 TimB4Last, Jul 11, 2014
    A man, a plan, Klinsmann namsnilknal, Panama.

    Wait a second    , we're playing Ireland!
     
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  12. ty webb

    ty webb Member

    Aug 28, 2005
    NYC
    #12 ty webb, Jul 11, 2014
    This probably would have been a good game in 2004.

    I think our B team would beat them in 2014. I hope we bring in a bunch of young players for this one.
     
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  13. mckersive

    mckersive Member+

    Mar 26, 2013
    New York City
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #13 mckersive, Jul 11, 2014
    I think they're not so bad as mentioned above by puppy their recent form (other than Germany) shows improvement over the squad that failed qualification. I think we're going to bring our young players anyway.
     
  14. ty webb

    ty webb Member

    Aug 28, 2005
    NYC
    #14 ty webb, Jul 11, 2014
    It will be a good test for the young players. Since it's in Ireland and around their qualification, they should have a highly focused side.
     
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  15. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Member+

    Feb 11, 2002
    Jupiter, Fl.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #15 Lloyd Heilbrunn, Jul 11, 2014
    I understand their defense is a Rock......
     
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  16. USOutlaw16

    USOutlaw16 Member+

    Green Bay Voyageurs
    United States
    Jan 22, 2011
    On the Gringo Wall of Shame
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #16 USOutlaw16, Jul 11, 2014
    With this guy in their backline, no wonder

    [​IMG]
     
  17. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #17 jond, Jul 11, 2014
    Given I think LAG will be eliminated at that point, I'm guessing we see Omar vs Keane at some point?

    Aren't there two friendly dates during this week? Since Jurgen wants to bring in younger prospects, this might be a decent level of opponent for getting their feet wet.

    My hope is everyone from Boyd to Agudelo to Shea to Stanko to Ream to Shawn Parker to Packwood are called in for this one.
     
  18. Father Ted

    Father Ted BigSoccer Supporter

    Manchester United, Galway United, New York Red Bulls
    Nov 2, 2001
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Ireland Republic
    #18 Father Ted, Jul 11, 2014
    This is Ireland's probably best XI at the moment:
    Forde(Millwall)
    Coleman(Everton)-O'Shea(Sunderland)-Clark(Aston Villa)-Wilson(Stoke)
    Brady(Hull)-McCarthy(Everton)-Gibson(Everton)-McGeady(Everton)
    Keane(LA)- Long(Hull)

    Subs:
    Westwood-GK(Sheff Wed)
    Dunne(QPR)
    Delaney(Reading)
    Kelly(Reading)
    Walters(Stoke)
    Houlihan(Norwich)
    Whelan(Stoke)
    McClean(Wigan)
    Hendrick(Derby)
    Meyler(Hull)
    Pilkington(Norwich)
    Doyle(Wolves)
    Cox(Nottm Forest)
    Stokes(Celtic)
     
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  19. Dr. Gamera

    Dr. Gamera Member+

    Oct 13, 2005
    Wheaton, Maryland
    #19 Dr. Gamera, Jul 11, 2014
    So you're sayin' that at Ireland, as compared with the probability of an away win in the friendly against the Czech Republic, we'll be Dublin' our chances?
     
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  20. Master O

    Master O Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #20 Master O, Jul 11, 2014
    As long as we bring our Lucky Charms, Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling.
     
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  21. zeitgeis

    zeitgeis Member

    May 13, 2014
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #21 zeitgeis, Jul 12, 2014
    Didn't Klinsmann say he wants to bring in the young people early on in the next cycle to find out what they can do? If so, you wouldn't want to throw them in against Germany or even England. They can have some success against Ireland, but if they don't you can quickly find out who you don't want in the next cycle.
     
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  22. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #22 Berks, Jul 13, 2014
    Here's to hoping Robbie Keane will be busy with LA. :)
     
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  23. wixson7

    wixson7 Member+

    May 12, 2009
    boulder
    #23 wixson7, Jul 13, 2014
    Poop
    Abba
    Bob
     
  24. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    #24 USvsIRELAND, Jul 13, 2014
    Away games against Euro teams are always tough for USA.

    Add in the fact that Keane will be super motivated for this one.

    Ireland have a legit chance to qualify for Euro 2016, so this friendly is important.
     
  25. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #25 Berks, Jul 13, 2014
    MLS playoffs will impact the players that are in attendance. We don't know yet of course which teams are impacted.
     
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